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Los Angeles recently hosted its third annual LA Design Week/end, an event that has rapidly grown into a significant platform for showcasing the city’s vibrant and resilient design community. From October 26-29, 2023, the city, often viewed through the lens of its entertainment industry, unveiled a diverse tapestry of design innovation, community spirit, and a deep-seated commitment to creativity, even as it navigates a complex period of transition and challenges. This year, the festival dramatically expanded its footprint, featuring an impressive 140 shows across various venues, a substantial increase from the 46 exhibitions in its inaugural year, signaling a robust and flourishing local design ecosystem.
The Genesis and Growth of a Grassroots Movement
LA Design Week/end was co-founded by Holland Denvir, a design industry professional also affiliated with lighting company Gantri and co-founder of custom-order rug company Nomadory, alongside creative director Meghan McNeer. The event, born out of a shared passion for design and a desire to foster local talent, operates largely as a labor of love, with its organizers maintaining their primary professional commitments. This grassroots origin story underscores the event’s authentic connection to the local design community, distinguishing it from more commercially driven design fairs. Its rapid expansion from 46 shows to 140 in just three years is a testament to the pent-up demand for such a platform and the collaborative spirit that defines Los Angeles’s creative landscape. The festival aims not only to showcase established and emerging designers but also to democratize design, inviting the "design curious public" to explore and be inspired, regardless of their ability to purchase high-end pieces. This inclusive approach enriches the dialogue between creators and consumers, fostering fresh perspectives and a broader appreciation for design.
Navigating a City in Transition: Resilience as a Design Principle
The third edition of LA Design Week/end unfolded against a backdrop of considerable social and economic flux in Los Angeles. The past few years have presented the city with a series of formidable obstacles, including prolonged Hollywood strikes that impacted countless creative professionals, devastating wildfires in areas like Altadena and Palisades, and a shrinking pool of opportunities in the film and television industry as productions increasingly seek tax credits and cheaper labor abroad. Furthermore, ongoing immigration enforcement activities and even politically charged rhetoric, such as former President Trump’s suggestions concerning the city in relation to the Iran conflict, have added layers of uncertainty and tension.
However, rather than being deterred by these challenges, the design community has channeled this adversity into a profound sense of solidarity and creative output. Holland Denvir articulated this sentiment, stating, "I think all of that has actually shown how resilient Los Angeles is, and how much we support each other. I think LA Design Week/end lets us focus on joy, so we don’t have to think about those things for a minute, but it’s that same energy that’s already here. We’re just coming together to celebrate rather than to rebuild per se." This perspective highlights the festival’s role not merely as an exhibition but as a communal act of affirmation and a powerful expression of collective joy and resilience in the face of external pressures. The event thus served as a vital cultural anchor, demonstrating how creative endeavors can thrive and unite communities even amidst periods of significant societal strain.
Experiential Design: A Journey Through Los Angeles’s Creative Hubs
The immersive and often intimate nature of LA Design Week/end offerings provided attendees with an unparalleled look into the city’s diverse design landscape. The experience began with a launch party at the studio of the acclaimed Haas Brothers, known for their whimsical, otherworldly sculptures and furniture pieces. Their studio, adorned with oversized lamps and distinctive creations, set a playful yet sophisticated tone for the days ahead, emphasizing the unique artistic sensibilities thriving in LA.
The journey continued through a series of distinctive venues and exhibitions:
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Ravenhill Studio and Los Angeles Sets A Table: The spacious workspace of Ravenhill Studio was transformed for the Los Angeles Sets A Table exhibition, a concept initially conceived by designer Cathy Callahan in 2019. Curated by Chelito Villaflor and Chris Albanese of Thought Forms Studio, the show aimed to capture the ephemeral quality of California light. Two meticulously arranged tables symbolized dawn and dusk, presenting a broad spectrum of works by California artists and designers. Villaflor emphasized the symbolic power of the table as a gathering point, highlighting the importance of "real life experiences, things that are made by hand" in an increasingly digital world. The host, Brendan Ravenhill, even contributed custom cutlery for the exhibition, exemplifying the collaborative spirit.
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The Paul McCobb Museum: A unique highlight was the private residence of Paul McCobb collector Yogi Proctor, which doubles as a part-time museum dedicated to the midcentury designer. Furnished almost exclusively with McCobb’s iconic pieces and enriched with contextual books and research, Proctor’s home offered an intimate, living archive of American midcentury modernism. This personal yet public space provided a rare opportunity for design enthusiasts to engage directly with a curated collection in its intended domestic setting.
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Downtown LA Proper Hotel: The official lodging partner, the Downtown LA Proper, itself served as a testament to transformative design. This former YWCA building was reimagined by renowned interior designer Kelly Wearstler into a charming and sophisticated hotel, blending historical architecture with contemporary luxury. Wearstler’s signature eclectic style brought a new vibrancy to the historic structure, reflecting the broader revitalization efforts in downtown Los Angeles.
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Serpentine’s Themed Transformation: Eric Wareheim’s plant and outdoor furnishings emporium, Serpentine, showcased the playful side of LA’s design scene. For Halloween, the space was creatively transformed into a haunted house, demonstrating that even serious design can embrace levity and imaginative flair. This lighthearted approach underscored the casual, less "network-y" atmosphere that permeated the festival.
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Jason Koharik’s Open Studio: The festival experience for many commenced at Jason Koharik’s studio and home, where he unveiled his latest collection for Alora Lighting, slated for release via Lumens. Koharik’s "open door policy" invited visitors to explore every corner of his living and working space, fostering a genuine connection between the designer and his audience. This unpretentious openness allowed for an intimate appreciation of his creative process and personal aesthetic.
Community Hubs and Curatorial Visions
The ethos of community extended beyond individual studios, with several established creative businesses opening their doors to host exhibitions and events, often free of charge.
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Small Green Door and After the Tides: Leo Estevez, co-founder of the creative services company Small Green Door in Boyle Heights, exemplified this generosity by offering his company’s workspace as a venue. The large complex hosted a vibrant dance party with DJs from LA indie radio station DubLab and the weekend-long exhibition After the Tides. This show transformed the office into an immersive display of ceramic works influenced by nature, many with a gothic undertone. A sonic water installation by Edge Sound Research grounded the presentation, complemented by sand pedestals, also crafted at Edge Sound Research’s studio, which subtly elevated the pieces and doubled as speakers. Estevez described the decision to open his space as "a no brainer," recognizing that "a really big component of design is the community."
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Enzo Gallery and Our Joy Is Resistance: The festival also championed new curatorial voices through its curator fellowship program. Sarah Al-Qatou, a film and television producer, made her curatorial debut with Our Joy Is Resistance, hosted by Enzo gallery. Inspired by the idea that "joy and the pursuit of wonder and fulfillment and pleasure is a disciplined practice," Al-Qatou curated a diverse exhibition featuring both visual art and design pieces. The show, which included work by Dwell 24 designer Studio Sour, explored the multifaceted interpretations of this open-ended theme. Al-Qatou praised the program for the "incredible refreshing" freedom and trust she experienced, underscoring the festival’s commitment to empowering emerging talent.
Broader Impact and Future Horizons
The success of LA Design Week/end, particularly its third iteration, highlights several significant implications for the city and the broader design world. Firstly, it firmly establishes Los Angeles as a burgeoning global design capital, moving beyond its traditional association with Hollywood. The sheer volume and quality of participating designers and studios demonstrate a thriving local scene capable of producing innovative and impactful work.
Secondly, the festival serves as a powerful model for community-driven cultural events. In an era where large-scale, corporate-sponsored events often dominate, LA Design Week/end’s "labor of love" approach and emphasis on collaboration resonate deeply with participants and attendees. It fosters genuine connections, encourages mutual support, and creates a platform where designers can experiment and showcase their work in unconventional and accessible settings. The willingness of studios, galleries, and even private homes to open their spaces underscores a collective belief in the power of design to enrich lives and build community bonds.
Finally, the event’s commitment to public engagement is crucial. By inviting the "design curious public" to attend, the festival contributes to a broader cultural literacy in design. This interaction provides invaluable feedback and inspiration for designers, while simultaneously demystifying the design process for the general public. It transforms design from an exclusive, industry-specific conversation into an accessible, enriching experience for everyone.
As LA Design Week/end continues to grow, its trajectory suggests a future where design festivals are not just trade shows, but vibrant, inclusive cultural events that reflect and strengthen the communities they serve. In Los Angeles, this means a celebration of creativity that is deeply intertwined with the city’s unique spirit of resilience and its unwavering capacity for joy amidst change. The festival’s ability to unite diverse talents and spaces, transforming the entire city into an open-air gallery, underscores its vital role in defining the contemporary identity of Los Angeles as a nexus of design and community.
